KINSHASA, DR Congo, September 18, 2024 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- How to represent the dangers of disinformation on a mural? This is the challenge that Prisca Tankwey, a jack-of-all-trades artist, has taken up. The young woman is an assistant lecturer in the painting department of the Academy of Fine Arts in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). For five days, assisted by her students, she took up the challenge.
“It was a moment of sharing and exchange that allowed students to further explore their professor’s knowledge and contribute to the dissemination of this message of fighting against disinformation,” notes, not without pride, Prisca Tankwey.
The fresco represents two people, one of whom, mired in the torments of disinformation, is completely engulfed while the other emerges, rescued by two doves – a symbol of peace – which bring her the right information and pull her upwards and towards the light of truth.
The work was produced in collaboration with the Strategic Communication and Public Information Division of MONUSCO, on the sidelines of the International Day of Peace, celebrated every September 21. Unveiled on September 17 by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, on a visit to Kinshasa, the fresco is visible on the boundary wall of the Academy of Fine Arts, Avenue de la Libération.
Questioning society
Prisca Tankwey wants to question society through her art. For many years now, the 27-year-old artist has been practicing painting, illustration and photography. “I create works that question society and address current issues,” she says.
She makes sure that each of her creations reflects these questions. At the moment, it is on disinformation that she wants to question her fellow citizens. The theme from which her creation was conceived is: “Disinformation, a scourge that undermines peace”.
For the young artist, using art to combat disinformation and promote peace is a necessity in an increasingly fragmented society where falsehood tends to take precedence over truth. But for her, there is no question of despair. Everyone must get involved.
“To combat disinformation, we must start with information,” she argues, adding that social media, which often plays a significant role in spreading fake news, can also be used as a channel to combat it.
Prisca Tankwey wants to see her fresco remain visible for a long time on one of the busiest streets in Kinshasa, in order to reach as many people as possible. “Every time people see this work, I hope they will adjust their behavior to not spread false information and promote peace,” she hopes.
Educating in art
For her, art is much more than a passion. It is a commitment. Prisca Tankwey sees art as a form of activism, a powerful way to convey emotions and sometimes express difficult situations to invigorate the resilience of the people who face them.
In order for as many people as possible to understand this message, the young artist advocates for “artistic education”. According to her, it is essential that the public learns to appreciate beauty and understand the value of art.
“Not everyone sees things the same way. It takes a certain education for people to begin to appreciate beauty,” she emphasizes, regretting that few people measure the contribution of art in a society. And this contribution, Prisca is convinced, is considerable.
Art can be a meeting place, a space where people from different cultures and backgrounds can exchange and learn from each other. “When you exhibit art, it’s not just a moment for one person, but for many. People come from everywhere and that’s how art brings them together.”she explains, hammering home that art has the ability to create connections, transmit information and encourage reflection.
Prisca Tankwey is very attached to visual art, which she would like to see considered in the same way as music, the most recognized artistic expression in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Distributed by African Media Agency pour MONUSCO.
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-09-19 10:39:32
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